CNU tuition covers more than state funds

Board of Visitors approves $117.4 million budget

June 11, 2010|By Cathy Grimes, cgrimes@dailypress.com | 247-4758

NEWPORT NEWS — — For the first time in Christopher Newport University's history, tuition will cover more expenses than state funds. About $26.9 million, or 22.9 percent, of the $117.4 million budget approved by the Board of Visitors Friday comes from the state general fund, while CNU will net $27.3 million, or 23.2 percent, from tuition.

"We're generating more money than the state provides," President Paul Trible said during a finance committee meeting before the budget was approved.

"That's never happened before, and it's a disturbing trend," University Chief of Staff Cynthia Perry said.

The budget is about $5 million larger than this year's spending plan, and includes $3.5 million in federal stimulus money, which will disappear in 2012. All of the stimulus money is being used for instructional programs.

Perry said the university built several reserve funds totaling about $4.7 million into the budget to prepay expenses in 2012 in anticipation of a $6.2 million cut in state funding and federal dollars. The budget also includes $2.4 million in a capital reserve fund to help pay for facilities renovations and expansions on campus. The capital reserve funds come from student comprehensive fees.

The budget is based on 243 faculty members and an expected enrollment of 4,983 students. University officials want to add 32 more faculty positions, but will not expand this year. Salaries are frozen for a third year, but the budget includes the university's share of a proposed 3 percent bonus if state revenues are high enough to offer one.

"We're short staffed in every function on the campus," Trible said. "We'll have markedly fewer employees next year.

But the budget includes a few new positions. CNU will expand admissions efforts to attract out-of-state students, adding a new position and four alumni "fellows" to the admissions department to beef up recruitment efforts. CNU officials also want to improve the school's student retention and graduation rates. Two new positions were added to focus on helping at-risk students, and the university will hire four recent graduates in "fellowship" roles to work with students. CNU also is adding staff to improve security in its computer center.

Outgoing Rector Jay Joseph called the budget "reasonable and defensive," as the university prepares for a grimmer budget outlook in 2012.

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